Third time the charm: Ibanez back in Seattle

Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - Raul Ibanez has come back to the Seattle
Mariners for a third time.

The M's made it official on Wednesday, announcing the signing of the 40-year-
old to a one-year contract. No financial terms were disclosed, but according
to previous reports from the Seattle Times and MLB.com, it's worth $2.75
million with the potential for $1.25 million in incentives.

"We spoke of adding some veteran presence to our ball club this offseason,"
said Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik. "In Raul we have a player and
person with outstanding leadership skills who has participated in postseason
play the last several years. We will give Raul the opportunity to come in and
compete and add an additional veteran presence to this ball club."

The left-handed slugger spent the 2012 season with the New York Yankees and
batted .240 in 130 games with 19 homers and 62 runs batted in. He hit a couple
of big homers down the stretch to help the Yankees win the AL East and added
three homers in the playoffs, including a ninth-inning game-tying shot and
walkoff blast in the 12th of Game 3 of the ALDS against Baltimore.

"Raul is the ultimate professional both on and off the field," said Mariners
manager Eric Wedge. "His veteran presence will be invaluable to our younger
group of players."

Born in New York but raised in Miami, Ibanez broke into the majors with
Seattle in 1996 and spent his first five seasons with the Mariners, then
returned in 2004 for another five-year stint. He was the team's MVP in 2006
and again in 2008.

Ibanez has also played for Kansas City and Philadelphia during his 17-year
career and is a lifetime .278 hitter with 271 homers and 1,116 RBI. He had his
lone All-Star Game appearance in 2009 with the Phillies.